The New Lufthansa Biofuel Plane Makes Aviation History

As the carbon footprint associated with air travel steadily grows, Lufthansa’s Biofuel Plane is not only gaining currency as an economic alternative, but drawing the attention of regular travelers.

Starting July 15th, Lufthansa will become the first airline to use biofuels on a regularly scheduled route; with 8 daily flights from Frankfurt to Hamburg. The biofuel, provided by Finnish company Neste Oil, is comprised of mostly vegetable oils and has been stockpiled to cover voyages for the next six months.

The decision to fuel their planes with renewable energy sources means that Lufthansa flights will emit 20-30% fewer greenhouse gases. Although these bio-fueled aircrafts currently only service German flight routes, the company hopes to expand the project and dole out the benefits of biomass energy to everyone.

Public pressure has mounted in recent years against the automotive and airline industry, with civil society groups demanding they clean up their act, figuratively and literally. Although Virgin Airlines has previously attempted to roll out biofuel planes, it seems as though Lufthansa will be responsible for encouraging this paradigm shift in aviation.